Simulated LaLiga action features in new beIN series in APAC region

International subscription sports broadcaster beIN Media Group has commissioned a new esports series that will offer a simulation of the final six rounds from Spanish football’s 2019-20 season.

The six-part e-LIGA series begins on Friday evening and will be shown across the flagship beIN Sports network in the Asia-Pacific region.

The programmes are being produced together with the Australia-based media production agency I Want It Yesterday and EA Sports’ FIFA 20 game.

The weekly 30-minute show will feature a ‘match of the round’ and highlights of simulated games. The first episode will feature a simulation of Atlético Madrid against Barcelona.

The series will be shown in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. Aired weekly, each 30-minute episode will feature the “match of the round” and highlights of all the simulated games.

Commenting on the new series, Mike Kerr, managing director of beIN Asia-Pacific, said: “With the suspension of live sports due to the global pandemic, we are seeing more fans turning to e-sports tournaments. While we have been offering these tournaments on beIN Sports, we decided to take it a step further with the commissioning of this new e-sports show format, e-LIGA.

“Necessity is the mother of all invention, and there is no better time to experiment with different types of content and continue to fuel fans’ passion for the beautiful game. We hope to see the birth of successful franchises from such initiatives and return stronger than ever when live sports resume.”

The slew of media-rights deals agreed for the Korean K League ahead of its recent restart did not generate large revenues for international distributor Sportradar. But the league hopes to capitalise, in the years to come, on the boost to its profile, as one of the first competitions to restart after Covid-19-related shutdowns.

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